Malaysian palm oil producer turns to solar for steadier income

IOI Group has been working with state utility, eyes more deals A worker cuts down an oil palm bunch at a plantation in Malaysia. Such sites have a production cycle of about 25 years. © Reuters KUALA LUMPUR -- A major Malaysian palm oil producer is planning to use some of its roughly 1,700 square kilometers of plantation for solar energy projects, as it pushes to generate steadier income and capitalize on growing demand for renewable power.